Apparatus for thawing water hydrants or the like



Sept. 5, 1939. J. G. GRIFFITHS 2,172,082

APPARATUS FOR THAWING WATEli HYDRANTS OR THE LIKE Filed March 28,' 1938BY & 42 W Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE APPARATUSEon THAWING' WATER HYDRANTS on THE. LIKE burgh, Pa. Application March28,

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for thawing fire hydrants,curb boxes, gate valves, water pipes and the like, which are liable tobecome frozen during cold weather. The invention 5 is particularlyapplicable for incorporation in fire engines and the service trucks ofwater companies.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for thawing firehydrants, water pipes and the like which may be used in conjunction withthe usual service motor truck or fire engine.

A further object is the provision of apparatus for use in conjunctionwith an internal combustion engine for thawing frozen fire hydrants andvalves which is readily available for emergency use, and utilizes thehigh temperature exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine formelting the ice.

According to the present invention, I thaw water hydrants, curb boxesand the like by directing the exhaust gas from an internal combustionmotor, preferably a gasoline motor, against or around the frozenapparatus. This is accomplished preferably through a hose connectedbetween the gasoline motor exhaust manifold and the muffler and directedinto the fire hydrant casing, whereby the hot gases are directed againstthe frozen portion to readily melt the ice. The hose may discharge nearthe top of the hydrant casing, or the hose may extend down near thebottom of the hydrant casing, provision being made for the escape ofgases from the hydrant at the connection to prevent back firing of themotor.

In the preferred apparatus, I provide a valve of any suitableconstruction intermediate the exhaust manifold and the muffler of anautomobile, and a conduit is provided extending from the valve to thesides of the automobile. The ends of the conduit may be closed by a capor by a valve when not in use and an auxiliary flexible hose, whichpreferably is insulated by heat lagging, is provided which may beconnected onto one end of the tubing in any suitable manner, theflexible hose preferably carrying a nozzle of suitable construction atits other end which may be introduced through the water outlet of thefire hydrant. This nozzle may carry a plurality of fingers which holdthe nozzle spaced from the wall of the hydrant so that the exhaust gasintroduced into the hydrant may escape from the water conduit around thenozzle.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to theaccompanying drawing 1938, Serial No. 198,598 (01'. 138-35) wherein Ihave diagrammatically illustrated a preferred embodiment for carryingout my method and wherein:-

Figure 1 diagrammatically represents a motor truck and the connectionbetween the exhaust 5 line of the motor truck and a water hydrant,

Figure 2 shows the manner in which the hot gases are introduced into thehydrant casing and circulate through the casing,

Figure 3 diagrammatically represents the defleeting valve in openposition, and

Figure 4 diagrammatically represents the defleeting valve in by passposition.

Referring to the drawing, the chassis of an automobile truck,diagrammatically shown, is represented by the numeral I and carries aninternal combustion engine diagrammatically shown and indicated by thenumeral 2. The engine 2 is of any suitable construction and may burnfuel oil, gasoline or gas, or other fuel. The exhaust from the cylindersof the motor 2 is conducted by a manifold 3 through the deflecting valve4 to the mufiier 5, from which the gas normally is conducted by theexhaust line 6 to the atmosphere. The deflecting valve 4 preferably is acylindrical .or tapered plug valve and has a straightway passage I!)therethrough and deflecting passages II and I2 at an acute anglethereto, the passage Ill having a wide mouth I3. This arrangementprovides a straightway con- 80 nection at all times between the manifold3 and mufller 5 except when the valve 4 is turned to by pass position tohave passages II and I2 register with extensions I and 8. In by passposition shown in Figure 4, straightway passage I0 85 is connected byits flared'end l3 with the exhaust manifold 3 and the down-stream end ofthe passage is closed, thus deflecting the exhaust gases by passages IIand I2 into the extensions 1 and 8. The deflecting valve has tubularextensions 40 I and 8 extending from the valve casing to the side of thetruck which normally areclosed by a cap 9 threaded on the end of theextension.

A flexible insulated hose I4 of any suitable construction is adapted tobe connected to the end of the tube I or B and preferably carries anozzle I5 at its other end adapted to be inserted into the nozzle I6 ofthe fire hydrant, and upon which is secured spring fingers I! which holdthe nozzle in speed relation thereto.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

In order to thaw out the hydrant the motor 2 is started, one cap 9 isremoved, the flexible hose I4 is connected to the extension 8 and thevalve 8 is turned to proper position to direct the waste gases into theextension 8 and hose I4. The nozzle I5 is inserted into the hoseconnection l6 of the water hydrant and is held in place by springfingers I1 engaging the hose connection of the hydrant to direct thegases downward, and the hot gases are conducted into the casing of thehydrant and around the frozen valve.

As the gases will be at high temperature, the ice in the hydrant israpidly melted. By opening the valve of the hydrant it is not necessaryto melt all the ice as the pressure of the water will break up the ice,and as soon as the water begins to flow through the hydrant the thawingnozzle is removed. The fire hose then is connected to the hydrant andthe flow of water will rapidly erode the ice until it is all melted.When a long nozzle extending to the bottom of the hydrant is employed,it is preferable to throttle the engine to prevent backfiring. When notin use, the flexible hose l4 may be disconnected and carried on thetruck.

It will be understood that various modifications of my invention may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for thawing frozen water apparatus comprising a flexible hoseconnected at one end to an'exhaust line of an internal combustion engineon a vehicle and removably connected at the other end to the apparatusto be thawed to introduce heated gases therein in such manner that anescape path is provided at the connection whereby said exhaust gases maybe freely circulated through said apparatus.

2. Means for thawing a frozen water hydrant having a nozzle comprising aflexible hose connected at one end to an exhaust line of an internalcombustion engine on a vehicle and removably connected at'the other endto the hydrant to be thawed by spacing fingers secured to said hose andadapted to engage the hydrant nozzle to introduce heated gases thereinin such manner that an escape path is provided at the connection wherebysaid exhaust gases may be freely circulated through said hydrant.

JAMES G. GRIFFITHS.

